I really feel the need to belabor this point some. As we move deeper into the budget troubles and students are hit with higher and higher tuition bills (up 14% last year with more of the same to come!), it behooves us to be ever more present to the needs of these people, who are, after all, our only reason to be here.
When we are on desk and doing what we all have become so good at doing--multitasking--we must make it part of our choosing to continuously remind ourselves of why we are at that desk. All you have to do is look up. Look up for goodness sake. Don't be looking down or into the PC monitor any longer than 10 to 15 seconds before you look up and scan the public space around you.
If you are looking down or are engaged with the computer, you might as well put up a do-not-disturb sign. This is true at all the desks, but especially true at Suzzallo, where we must make our eyes and our posture such that is welcoming to those who are entering and welcoming back those who are leaving.
I know it can be busy and very active in the Suzzallo lobby, but I've walked through that lobby way too many times, stood there for minutes, fiddled with the rugs at the doors and many of you never once looked up. I've walked through waving my arms and the same thing happened.
There have been times when I walked through Allen lobby and could not even tell if there was someone at the desk, because you are completely hidden behind the monitor.
Please take this to heart. There is no one who can change this behavior other than you. There is no one whose job it is to make you aware of this.
You all have so much to offer. Don't make all that or yourself unavailable!
